Turning a nightmare into a dreamTelevision personality Rachael Ray throws a mass wedding at Minute Maid Park for 33 couples who lost nuptial venues — and their deposits — to Hurricane Ike

JEMIMAH NOONOO, Copyright 2008 Houston Chronicle |
November 3, 2008

Jo Rodriguez, left, Gabrelle Cathey and Greer Van Buren wait to wed at Minute Maid Park on Sunday. Their wedding venues had to file for bankruptcy.

Photo By Eric Kayne/Chronicle

TV host Rachael Ray hosted the event.

Dozens of Houston brides found out Sunday that fairy-tale endings aren't just for storybooks.

Television personality Rachael Ray granted wedding wishes for 33 couples who were jilted when their original ceremony venues went out of business after Hurricane Ike.

Many brides lost thousands of dollars in deposits, a misfortune that prompted Ray to foot the bill for a mass wedding at Minute Maid Park. The ceremony will be featured in an episode of her daytime show later this month.

"If there is a fairy godmother, it is Rachael Ray," said groom Victor Cabungcal, 23. "This is an absolute miracle."

Luther Vandross' Here and Now crooned from the speakers as brides and grooms walked down the aisle and had their names individually announced. With 500 friends and family members watching, the couples simultaneously recited vows and placed rings on each others' fingers.

Family and friends sat at tables adorned with white roses and lilies, sipping on champagne glasses.

They celebrated afterward on a makeshift dance floor in the outfield. Guests dined on a menu designed by Ray, and each couple received a custom-made cake.

The couples' original venues — Bella Terraza near the Galleria and the Tuscany in Garden Oaks — closed in mid-September. Parent company Titus Inc. filed for bankruptcy Oct. 8, according to the Better Business Bureau.

Neither the company owners nor their attorney could be reached for comment.

Lea paid part of the deposit for the Tuscany with life insurance money from her mother's 2005 death to pancreatic cancer. Lea planned to marry fiance Jason Camario there Jan. 25.

At Sunday's ceremony, she carried a small photo of her mother in her bouquet and wore her mother's wedding band, which was resized and engraved.

Fellow bride Sarah Ravinelle, who dreamed of her wedding day since she "could play with Barbies," didn't think twice about shelling out $15,000 for her venue and catering.

After learning that the place went out of business, the 24-year-old's wedding planning halted. "I thought someone was playing a horrible, horrible prank," she said.

Like the brides she stood beside Sunday, Ravinelle's story took a happy turn when producers of Ray's show contacted the brides a few weeks ago.

She couldn't contain her excitement as she made last-minute preparations last week at Baybrook Mall in Friendswood. Flanked by her best friends, she discussed details like eyelashes, earrings and tanning.

She tried on her newly altered dress one last time at David's Bridal.

"I'm getting married," she said, softly clapping her hands as she stood in front of the full-length mirrors. "I'm getting married."